Stereotype-plate-casting apparatus



April 21, 1925. 1,534,493.

H; F. BECHMAN STEREOTYPE PLATE CASTING APPARATUS File y 7. 1922 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 April 21, 1925. 1,534,493

H. F. BECHMAN STEREOTYPE PLATE CASTING APPARATUS Filed July 17, 1922 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 April 21, 1925. 1,534,493

H. F. BECHMAN STEREOTYPE' PLATE CASTING APPARATUS Filed July- 17, 1922 4 Sheets-Sheet I5 April 21, 1925.

1,534,493 H. F. BECHMAN STEREOTIPE PLATE CASTING APPARATUS Filed July 17. 1922 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 step by step movement thereto. In the example shown at each step or movement the table would be turned 90.

In the construction shown a worm gear 2" is attached to the under side of the turn table 2, concentric with the hub 2 thereof, and is engaged by a worm 3 on a shaft 3 which is journaled in suitable bearings 123 mounted on the base 13. Said shat't eii'tends longitudinally oi the base 13, below the turn table 2. and on the outer end of the shaft 3 is splined a friction clutch mei'nber 3 which is adapted to engage an opposed triction clutch member l attached to a gear 4- which is rotatably mounted on the shaft 3 and is yieldinglv pressed toward the member 3 by a spring strung on shatt 3 between the hub ot gear 4 and the adjacent hearing 13. The clutch member :3 is slidable on shaft 3 into and out of engagement with the clutch men'iher a and may be shifted at the pro ier time into engagement therewith by suitable men. s.

As shown clutch member 8 has a grooved huh 2-3 which is engaged by the forked arm in ot a lever 5 pivoted at 5 on a stationary arm or bracket 13 attached to the support 13. This lever 5 carries a roller 5 on its inner end which bears against the periphcry of the turn table 2 and is adapted to successive..y enter notches 2 formed in the periphery of the turn table, one notch adjacent each casting box 1. The end of lever 5 carrying roller 5 is normally pressed toward the turn table 2 by the action of a suitable spring so that it will enter the notches when permitted. As shown, a rod 5 is pivotally connected to the forked arm 5 of lever 5 and passes through an eye in the bracket 13 and a spring 5 is interposed between the bracket and a nut on the outer end oi the rod 5 and normally tends to rock the lever 5, and press the roller 5 toward the disk 2, and hold the clutch member 3 out of engagei'nent with the clutch member 4;.

The lever 5 may be rocked, so as to disengage the roller 5 from the notch 2 and slide the clutch men'iher 3 into engagement with the clutch member l by suitable means at the proper time. Preferably this is accomplished by manual means. As shown, one end of the lever 5 is connected by a link 5 to a hand lever 5 which may he pivoted on the end of bracket 13 or other support, on base 13 in convenient position for manipulation by the hand of the operator. lVhen the operator desires to have the turn table shifted he pulls the lever so as to rock the lever 5 against the action of spring and move roller 5 out of engagen'ient with the notch 2 and sin'uiltaneously engage clutch member 3 with clutch member 49.

The gear l carrying the clutch member be driven from any suitable source ot.

power. As shown, shaft 6 is directly connected to and driven by an electric motor 6 of any suitable construction, n'iounted on the base 13. From this shaft 6 the devices which control the pump are also operated as hereinafter described.

lVater for cooling the casting boxes 1 can be supplied through a pipe 50 which enters a tubular column 2 on the turn table (see Figs. 1, 2/, which is connected with in the column, by a swivel joint 51, to a T 52 from which extend opposite radially disposed pipes 53 each of which is connected by a branch pipe 5twith two adjacent casting boxes, at opposite sides of each branch pipe 54:. The other pipe 53 is similarly connected by a branched pipe 54 to the other two boxes (see Figs. 2 and 5). Thus, all four boxes are supplied with water from the one pipe 50. The hot water escapes from the boxes through branched pipes (54 each of which is connected with two adjacent boxes; and also connected with a radially disposed pipe 63, connected toa T 62 within the standard 2", the T 62 being connected by a swivel joint 61 with a drain pipe 60 which extends down through openings in the turn table and in the base 13 to a suitable point of discl'iarge. This very simple arrangement provides tor continuous circulation of water to and from the casting boxes without interfering with the rotation of the turn table.

In the construction shown a stereotype metal melting pot 10, of any suitable con struction, is supported on the usual furnace 10 mounted on the base 13 adjacent the turn table 2. In this pot is a metal pump having a plunger or'ladle 11. operated by a rod 11 which may be provided with a rack 11" engaging a pinion 11 on shatt l1 and at each operation of the pump the proper amount of molten metal is discharged t'rom the pump 11 through the spout 12 into that casting box 1, which at that time is in position adjacent the melting pot, as indicated in Figs. 1 and 2. The shaft 11 could be rotated by hand, but is preferably operated automatically by means controlled by the box shifting mechanism.

In the construction shown, a sprocket gear 11 is fixed on shatt 11 and a chain 11 runs over this sprocket and has one end connected to a weight 11 and its other end is connected to a crank pin or stud 7 on a worm gear 7 journaled on a stub shaft 7 mounted on a bracket or casting 13 on the base 13. The worm gear 7 (see Figs. 3 and 4t) meshes with a worm 8 on a shaft i on the shaft 6.

is rotatably mounted onthe shaft 8. Gear 9 meshes with and isdriven by a pinion The clutch member 8" should be held in engagement with the clutch member 9 sufficiently long to cause one complete rotation of the gear 7 or one complete operation. of the pump by suitable means. As shown, the hub 8 of clutch member 8" is annular-1y grooved and; engaged by a bifurcated lever i which is adaptedto be engaged by the end of the lever E 38 once for each rotation of r. The lever 28 may be provided with a roller 28" on its end to engage the periphery oi the cam disk 17, and lever .8 is normally pressed upward, tohold its end yieldingly in engagement with the peripheryoi dish 11' i by a spring 28 which, maybe strung on a rod 28 pivotally connected to the lever and dependmg through a guide opening in an adjacentpart of or on the casting 13; The

end or" lever 28 will rise when. it enters the cam notch 17% and the lever is held depressed when its end is disengaged from the cam notch but engaged with theperiphery ()Tl'lCll'H disk 17. i I

Lever 28 has an upwardly projecting; arm 28 which lies opposite the upper endot' lever 18, and a rod 18 is pivotally connected with the upper end of arm 528 and extends through an opening); in the arm 18"., and a compression spring 18 is strung on the rod i8 between the arm 18 and a head or nut on the outer end of the rod 18 as shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 4;. This spring '18 will cause the lever 18 to oscillate yieldingly withthe lever 28} so that when the roller 28" enters the cam notch 17 the clutch member 8" will be disengaged from the clutch member 9". When the roller 28 is forced out of notch l7 thereby depressing the long arm of lever 28 the clutch member 8 will be engaged with clutch member 9, the spring 18 affording' the desired spring cushion between the clutch members. v

The lever 28 has a short arm 28" opposite its long arm which is connected by link 29 to one arm of a bell crank lever 30 pivoted on an adjacent part of the support 13 and the other arm of lever 80;. is connected by a link 31 to one arm or. a bell crank lever -32 pivoted at on a support and the longer arm of said lever 39. u'ojects beside the periphery of the base of the turn table 2 and is adapted to be engaged by czunsiif' at tached to this turn table.

There is one cam 2 011 the turn table or each casting box mounted thereon, and said cams 2 are so located that one oi them will engage and depress the lever 32 just below: a casting" box comes into proper position beneath the spout l2. Upoirsuch depression the lever 32 will, through the described connections oscillate lever 28 and diseiigago roller 28 from notch 17, and throw clutch member 8 into engagement with clutch member 9 whereupon motion will be transmitted to the worm gear 7; and lever 28 will be held positively depressed by the engagement of roller 28* with the periphery of cam 17 until gear 7 has made a complete revolution and the roller 28 again enters the notch 17 Thecam 2"which just pre viously depressed the lever 32 being moved out of the way of the lever 32 just before the turn table comes to a stop. A

Each time a casting box is brought to po-. sition toreceive a charge of metal from the pump, the pump mechanism is automatically put into operation and will discharge a proper amount of fluid into the box to cast the plate. Upon completion of one cycle of operations the pump is automaticall stopped by the entry of the roller 28 int the notchl? which permits spring 28 to work lever 28 and disengage clutch member 8 from clutch member 9*.

When a plate is cast the operator can by pulling the lever 5 as described, throw the mechanism for moving the turn table again into operation, and it will automatically continue operating until the table is moved (in the example shown) when the table again automatically comes to rest with an other box in position to receives charge oi metal; and just before the turn table so comes to rest, the lever 32 would be again depressed by the proper cam 2" on the turn table, and the pump oliieratingr means again set in motion and perform its cycle oi op erations.

The link 31 is preferablydetachably engaged with the short arm oi the lever 32, so that said link can he disengaged from the arm at will; and when so disengaged the pump will not be operated automatically as described, but can be operated at the will of i the operator, by his depressing a foot treadle 3O attached to the bell crank lever 30.

The crank pin 7 may be mounted on the gear 7 so as to be adjustable radially thereof in any suitable manner, as indicated in Fig. 6. By adjusting pin 7 the extent o1": movement imparted to the pump plunger at each rotation of gear 7 can be so regulated that only the proper amount oi metal will be pumped at each operation into the castins; box to form the complete plate. For

each rotation of the gear 7 the pump plunger is first. raised to expel the metal. by the pull of the chain 11 on eranl; pin 7 and then is lowered as permitted by the move ment of the crank pin 7.

lVhat I claim is:

1. In apparatus of the character described, a turn table; a plurality of individual. casting boxes n'iounted thereon; means for imparting a partial rotation to said turn table to bodily move the casting boxes thereon successively to and away from the casting point; a melting pot; a metal pump therein; means for conducting metal from the pump to the casting box in casting position: manually controlled means for releasing the turn table operating means when it is dcsired to shift the turn table; and means for autmi'iatically stopping the n'iovement of the turn table when it has moved onebox from casting position and brought another box: into casting position.

2. In combination with mechanism as set forth in clailnl, mechanism for imgarting one cycle of operation to the pump when a castingbox is in casting position; and means controlled by the turning movement of the turn table for automatically releasing the pump operating means when a box. is

brought to casting position; and means for automatically stopping the operation of the pump actuating means when it has completed. one operation.

3. In mechanism as set forth in claim 1; the means for operating the turn table comprising a shaft, gearing between the shaft and turn table: a clutch member splined to said shaft; an opposed clutch member;

means for imparting continuous rotation to the latter clutch. member; a lever for disengaging the one clutch member from the opposed clutch member; spring means for normally separating said clutch members,

and means on the turn table for holding said lever in position to cause the engagement of the clutch members until the table is moved suliicientl-y to move one box away from easting position and the next box into casting position, said means pern'iitting the spring to separate the clutch members when the latter box is moved to casting position.

4-. In apparatus of the character de-- scribed, a turn table; a plurality of individual casting boxes mounted thereon; means for imparting a partial rotation to said turn table to move the casting boxes thereon successively to and away from the casting point; a melting pot; a metal pump therein: means for conducting metal from the pump to the casting box in casting position; means for releasing the turn table operating means when it is desired to shift the turn table; and means for automatically stopping the movement of the turn table when it has moved one box from casting position and brought another box into casting position ;i with mechanism for imparting one cycle of operations to the pump when the casting box-is in casting position; means controlled by the turn table for automatically releasing the pump operating mechanism when a box is brought to casting position; and means for automatically stopping the operation of the pump operating mechanism when it has made one cycle of operation.

In mechanism as set forth in claim 4-; the means for operating the turn table comprising a shaft, gearing between the shaft and turn table: a clutch member splinedto said shaft: an opposedclutch member; means for imparting continuous rotation to the latter clutch. member; a lever for dis-- engaging the one clutch member from the opposed clutch member; spring means for normally separating said clutch members.

and means on the turn table for holding said lever in position to cause the engagement of.

the clutch members until the table is moved sufiiciently to move the box away fromcasting position and the next box into casting position, substantially as described.

6. In apparatus of the character de scribed, a turn table; a plurality of individual casting boxes mounted thereon; means for imparting a partial rotation to said turn table to move the castingboxes thereon successively to and away from the casting point, comprising a worm gear connected with the table; a shaft adjacent the gear; a worm on said shaft engaging said gear; a clutch membersplined to said shaft: an opposed clutch member rotatably supported on said shaft, means for imparting continuous rotation to the latter clutch memher; a lever for disengaging the slidable clutch member from the opposed clutch member: said clutch members being normally disengaged: means on the turn table for holding said lever in position to cause the engagement of the clutch men'ibers and means for separating the clutch men'iber and stopping the turn table each time a rash ing box is moved to casting position. substantially as described.

7. In combination with mechanism as set. forth in claim 6; a melting pot; a metal pump therein; means for conducting metal fromthe pump to the casting box in castino; position: manuallycontrolled means for releasing the turn table operating means when it is desired to shift the turn table: and means for operating the pump once after a box is brought to casting position. i i

8. In apparatus of' the character described, a turntable: a plurality of individual casting boxes mounted thereon: a worm gear connectedwith the table; a shaft adjacent the gear; a worm on said shaft engaging said gear; a clutch member Ill) ing mechanism may be rendered i nefi'ective; and devices for manually controlling the starting operation of the pump operating mechanism at the will of the operator.

20. In apparatus ot'the character ;specilied, a turn table a plurality ot casting boxes .iuountedthereon awa-ter' supply pipe disposed axially ofthe turn table, radially disposed branches {connectedwith said supply pipe and ivith .the inlets of the Water passages in the casting boxes; and outlet pipes connected with the outlets of the casting boxes, substantially as described.

I ,21. In apparatus otthe character speci- 15 tied a turn ble a plurality of casting boxes mounted thereon; a ater supply pipe connected With the Water inlets of the casting bQ QS; anoutlet pipe disposed axially of the turn table, radially disposed pipes cone t d w th the u e nin end b n pipes connecting the -radially disposed pipes with the water outletsott' the casting boxes, substantially assdescribed.

: 22. Inapparatus of the characterQspeci- Zfi -t1ed a turn table, a plurality castingbo xes mounted thereon-, a Water supply pipe disposed axially ot' the turn table, radially disposed branches connected with said supply pipe and with the inlets of the Water passages in the casting boxes; an outlet pipe disposed axially of the table; and radially disposed pipes connecting the outlet pipe with the outlets of the casting boxes, substantially as described.

23. Inapparatus as set tor-thin claim 22, said radially disposed pipes respectively having swiveled connections with the inlet and outlet pipes, substantially as described.

24:. In apparatus of the character specified; a turn table; a plurality of casting boxes mounted thereon; a Water supply pipe disposed axially oi' the turn table (radially disposed pipes connected With the supply pipepbranched pipes connecting the radially disposed pipes withithe Water inlets of the casting boxes; an outlet pipe disposed axially of the turn table; radially disposed pipes connected with this outlet pipe; and branched HENRY F. nnoninin. 

